DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS

Transcription

1 First Session Forty-First Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXIX No. 45B - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 18, 2016 ISSN

2 MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-First Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALLUM, James Fort Garry-Riverview NDP ALTEMEYER, Rob Wolseley NDP BINDLE, Kelly Thompson PC CHIEF, Kevin Point Douglas NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy, Hon. River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC CURRY, Nic Kildonan PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Charleswood PC EICHLER, Ralph, Hon. Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne Lac du Bonnet PC FIELDING, Scott, Hon. Kirkfield Park PC FLETCHER, Steven, Hon. Assiniboia PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP FRIESEN, Cameron, Hon. Morden-Winkler PC GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GRAYDON, Clifford Emerson PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek Interlake PC JOHNSTON, Scott St. James PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP KLASSEN, Judy Kewatinook Lib. LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMOUREUX, Cindy Burrows Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Flor Logan NDP MARCELINO, Ted Tyndall Park NDP MARTIN, Shannon Morris PC MAYER, Colleen St. Vital PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew, Hon. Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice Seine River PC NESBITT, Greg Riding Mountain PC PALLISTER, Brian, Hon. Fort Whyte PC PEDERSEN, Blaine, Hon. Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle Arthur-Virden PC REYES, Jon St. Norbert PC SARAN, Mohinder The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron, Hon. St. Paul PC SELINGER, Greg St. Boniface NDP SMITH, Andrew Southdale PC SMOOK, Dennis La Verendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC SWAN, Andrew Minto NDP TEITSMA, James Radisson PC WHARTON, Jeff Gimli PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian, Hon. Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC YAKIMOSKI, Blair Transcona PC

3 2157 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Tuesday, October 18, 2016 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 17 The Fatality Inquiries Amendment and Vital Statistics Amendment Act Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I move, seconded by the Minister of Education, that Bill 17, The Fatality Inquiries Amendment and Vital Statistics Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la Loi sur les enquêtes médico-légales et la Loi sur les statistiques de l'état civil, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mrs. Stefanson: These amendments are in response to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in Carter v. Canada and the subsequent amendments to the Criminal Code, but now permit Canadians who are at least 18 years of age and who are suffering with a grievous and irremediable medical condition to voluntarily obtain medical assistance in dying. These amendments clarify that a death that occurs as a result of medical assistance in dying in accordance with the Criminal Code is not a suicide or a homicide under the fatalities inquiries act and The Vital Statistics Act. This means that deaths that occur through medical assistance in dying that would otherwise be natural death do not need to be reported to a medical examiner. This will allow a physician the ability to complete the certificate of death and issue the burial certificate without the involvement of a medical examiner. The amendments will also permit regulations to be developed to allow the Chief Medical Examiner to provide oversight of these deaths. We will be proposing to make a reporting requirement mandatory. Finally, the amendments add a regulation power to The Fatality Inquiries Act to permit regulations to be developed regarding reporting requirements to the provincial and federal governments, allowing for national statistics to be gathered. Requirements have not yet been determined by the federal government, but we expect to be advised shortly. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 209 The Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Act Mr. Wayne Ewasko (Lac du Bonnet): I move, seconded by the member for the Interlake, that Bill 209, The Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Act, be now read for a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Ewasko: It gives me great pleasure to stand today and bring forward Bill 209, the childhood cancer awareness month, because I think the month of September is a month where many different forms of cancer are being recognized already, and we just feel that with more and more children being diagnosed this day and age with cancer I think it's very important to bring that awareness, that education not only into the House, but into the public. So I look forward to support from the entire House bringing forward and passing Bill 209 in the future. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Bill 210 The Court of Queen's Bench Small Claims Practices Amendment Act Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I move, seconded by the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Selinger), that Bill 210, The Court of Queen's Bench Small Claims Practices Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Motion presented. Mr. Maloway: Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce The Court of Queen's Bench Small Claims Practices Amendment Act. Under current law, a person may file a small claim in the Court of Queen's Bench if the amount claimed is $10,000 or less. This bill allows that amount to be increased by regulation, Madam Speaker. Alberta is at $50,000 currently, Saskatchewan at $30,000. We will bring our laws

4 2158 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 18, 2016 into line with the rest of the provinces. Within the $10,000 limit a person may include a claim for general damages of no more than $2,000. This bill also allows that the amount to be increased by regulation. Madam Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] Are there any further introduction of bills? Bill 211 The Labour Relations Amendment Act (Applications for Certification) Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): I move, seconded by the member from Fort Rouge, that Bill 211, the labour relations amendment act, be now read for the first time. Motion presented. Mr. Lindsey: Today, I have the great pleasure to introduce Bill 211, the labour relations amendment act. This bill, unlike the government's legislation, will introduce real protection for workers. It will make sure that workers are protected from intimidation and coercion. It will make sure that a certification vote is held in a fair location. It will give workers the ability to stop employers from interfering with the right to unionize. In short, this bill will help repair some of the damage this government is doing to working people's rights in this province. Madam Speaker, our party is committed to providing real protections for Manitobans and safeguarding their right to unionize. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? [Agreed] TABLING OF REPORTS Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I am pleased to table the annual report of Manitoba Justice, Criminal Law Division and Victim Services Complaints, as well as the annual report of Manitoba Justice, which includes the Justice initiatives. Madam Speaker: Any further tabling of reports? Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I would like to table the Manitoba Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection annual report for , the Manitoba Arts Council annual report and the Manitoba Multiculturalism and Literacy annual report for 2015 and '16. Thank you. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Société franco-manitobaine Mr. Greg Selinger (St. Boniface): Madame la Présidente, je salue aujourd'hui le travail de la Société franco-manitobaine. Fondée en 1968, la SFM est toujours une ardente défenderesse de la communauté franco-manitobaine. Pendant plus de quarante ans, la SFM travaille main dans la main avec les francophones et les francophiles de la province, afin de promouvoir le fait français au Manitoba et célébrer les accomplissements de la communauté. La SFM fait également des grands efforts pour agrandir la francophonie ici au Manitoba. Les initiatives, telles que l'accueil francophone, ont pour but d'accueillir les nouveaux arrivants et les sensibiliser aux services et aux programmes français à leur disposition. Ceci n'est qu'un exemple du travail que l'organisation entreprend. Cet été dernier, la SFM a lancé Infojustice Manitoba, un centre d'information qui fourni aux francophones de la province des renseignements sur les services juridiques français. Ce service est essentiel pour ceux et celles qui choisissant de se représenter en français devant les tribunaux. Le Réseau communautaire de la SFM favorise le développement des communautés francophones rurales du Manitoba. Il encourage les partenariats locaux en vue de rendre possible et normale la vie en français dans tous les coins de la province. Cette organisation continue de tisser les liens entre les communautés anglophones et francophones, et avec son centre d'information , s'assure de promouvoir les événements et festivités francophones dans la province. Grâce à leurs efforts, le fait français ici au Manitoba va continuer de s'épanouir et de grandir dans les années à venir. Merci, Madame la Présidente. Translation Madam Speaker, I wish today to acknowledge the work of the Société franco-manitobaine. Established in 1968, the SFM remains an ardent defender of the Franco-Manitoban community. The SFM has worked hand in hand with the province's Francophones and Francophiles for over 40 years to promote the

5 October 18, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2159 French fact in Manitoba and celebrate the community's achievements. The SFM is also working hard to expand the Francophonie here in Manitoba. Initiatives such as the Accueil francophone provide settlement services for newcomers and ensure they are aware of services and programs available in French. This is only one example of the work carried out by the organization. This past summer, the SFM launched Infojustice Manitoba, an information centre that provides information on legal services available in French for Francophones in the province. This service is essential for those who choose to represent themselves in court. The SFM's Réseau communautaire promotes the development of Manitoba's rural Francophone communities. It encourages local partnerships to make living in French possible and normal in all areas of the province. This organization continues to create ties between Anglophone and Francophone communities and, through its information centre at , ensures that Francophone events and celebrations in the province are promoted. Thanks to the efforts of the SFM, the French fact here in Manitoba will continue to develop and grow in the years to come. Thank you, Madam Speaker. * (13:40) Men's Sheds Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): Today I'd like to recognize one of my constituents, Doug Mackie. Doug Mackie is the founder of the Men's Sheds Manitoba, which happens to be the first Men's Shed in all of Canada. A Men's Shed is really a friendly, welcoming and safe meeting place for men to socialize, learn new skills and enhance old ones. The men at the Men's Sheds participate in activities such as crafts, woodworking and volunteering work in the community. Men's Sheds are completely inclusive, regardless of age, background, 'esnicity' and ability for people of all opportunities to take advantage of programming. While Men's Sheds are predominantly retired men, even women and middle-aged men participate in the Woodhaven chapter. In fact, there is a gentleman in the mid-40s who regularly attends Woodhaven's Men's Shed. He was a foreman in the construction company; however, he suffered an unexpected stroke. He now attends Woodhaven Men's Shed for moral support as well as to participate in the woodworking and craft activities to strengthen his motor skills. Men's Sheds also play a significant part in both his physical and mental recovery. The program is a great success, and I could not be more proud to have the first Men's Shed in Canada right here in the constituency of Kirkfield Park. I want to thank Doug Mackie again for all his hard work with working with men to make Men's Sheds such a success and the first in Canada. Unfortunately, Doug couldn't be here today as he's attending a funeral of another Men's Sheds member. My thoughts and prayers are with Doug and his family at this very difficult time. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Private members' statements? Arvid Loewen Hon. Andrew Micklefield (Rossmere): Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to honour Arvid Loewen with us today, resident of Rossmere, husband to Ruth for 35 years, father of three, grandfather of nine. These qualities alone are praiseworthy, but they're not the reason I stand to honour Arvid today. When Arvid retired from a successful 31-year career, he wanted somehow to make a difference but wasn't quite sure what he could do. All he knew is that he loved to ride his bike, and so that's what he gave himself to. Well, with the encouragement of his wife and family, Arvid decided to pursue distance and then super long- distance cycling. Since 1995, Arvid has cycled 400,000 kilometres, twice completing the Race Across America, considered to be the world's toughest bicycle race, and Arvid now holds the Guinness record for ultra-marathon cycling across Canada. He biked across the country in 13 days, six hours and 13 minutes. But that's not all. With help from a team of family and friends, Arvid's rides have raised over $4 million for orphaned children in Africa, and, consequently, hundreds of children from Mully Children's Family in Kenya benefit every day from Arvid's work. In fact, Arvid regularly visits, supports and maintains contact with this group of friends he feels so fortunate to help. The name of Arvid's website captures his spirit: Grandpas Can. And he's the subject of a book that

6 2160 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 18, 2016 equally reflects his determination: When Quitting is Not an Option. This past July, Arvid attempted to break his own Guinness World Record across Canada. After 109 kilometres, he crashed at 64 kilometres an hour. He made it all the way across. I would like to say I would like us to welcome Arvid Loewen and thank him for being an inspiration to many people in this province. Swan Valley Lions Club Mr. Rick Wowchuk (Swan River): Today I'd like to acknowedge the Swan Valley Lions Club, a group of dedicated volunteers who have made a tremendous difference to the lives of many people in my constituency. The Swan Valley Lions are comprised of three clubs located in Bowsman, Minitonas and Swan River. Today I'd like to recognize their activities raising money for medical equipment. In 2003, when it started, this group completed the fundraising of $325,000 to purchase surgical equipment to bring cataract surgery to the Swan Valley Health facility. They have purchased three dialysis chairs at a cost of $1,800. Most recently, they wrote $120,000 cheque to the Swan Valley Health facility for heart monitoring equipment, which would enable remote monitoring of eight patients at a time. Presently, they're working towards providing birthing equipment for the facility. Individual clubs have also done their share. Bowsman Lions Club provided an electric wheelchair for the facility. Swan River Lions Club spent $9,000 repairing the outdoor staking arena in Swan River and are committed to purchasing a mobile blood pressure unit for the primary health-care clinic at a cost of $4,000. The Swan Valley clubs have provided over $200,000 in assistance to 246 individuals and families who travelled out of the area to receive medical care. Their main fundraisers are the popular Billy Beal fishing derby, a golf tournament, and Bowsman and District bull-a-rama. These events are always well supported by the community, and I'm proud to come from a place that has such an incredible group of volunteers. Thank you to this group of outstanding individuals that make the Swan Valley a better place. Winnipeg Nomads Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Burrows): Over the summer and throughout this fall season, I've enjoyed my time spent at the Nomads football club located in the North End of the city. The Nomads club was established at the Northwood Community club in Burrows, in 1969, making it one of the largest and oldest clubs in western Canada. What started off as a single team of 15-year olds developed into what is now a club, providing children and youth from ages seven to 21 various programs to participate in. A member from our Liberal team even played. The Nomads club is an essential part of the North End community. They are committed to providing youth a place to determine and achieve their athletic dreams. They ensure that every player who wants to play has an opportunity, and they provide a safe space for our youth and a space for families to foster positive relationships within the community. What I believe makes the Nomads club so unique and astounding is the leadership and mentorship that takes place solely by volunteers. These incredible people, football players, North End community members, families of players, and so forth, continue to demonstrate the drive and the passion to ensure football in the North End thrives every weekend. I know my friend from Kildonan has experienced the Nomads' passion as well, and I would like to encourage all members of this House to. I also highly recommend trying their famous taco in a bag. It's brilliant and it's delicious. I would like to thank Nathan Yamron, president of the Nomads, and Rick Henkewich, commissioner for the Winnipeg High School Football League for not only joining us here in the gallery today and for helping me feel part of the Nomads' family even with my lack of football lingo, but for your dedication, volunteerism and mentorship you continue to display for the North End of Winnipeg. Thank you. ORAL QUESTIONS Labour Relations Act Request to Withdraw Ms. Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): The Premier wants to be all things to all people, but the reality is he has shown us where he stands. He says he's a businessman, but he has no plan to deal with some of the worst job losses in

7 October 18, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2161 years. He was a teacher, but he wants to raise tuition fees for students. He says he's a labour activist but brings forward the most regressive labour legislation in a generation. Even the Fraser Institute knows that removing automatic certification reduces unionization. There's still time to pull Bill 7. Will the Premier do it? * (13:50) Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, I thank the member for her references to aspects of my background that I bring to this job. I think we all bring different experiences to bear from our past work and community work and engagement with fellow Manitobans, fellow Canadians, people around the world, to our jobs. One of the things that I bring and I believe many members of this House bring, regardless of partisan stripe, is a fundamental belief in the rights that we must protect for citizens. And one of those rights too often taken for granted is the right to vote. Six months ago tomorrow Manitobans exercised the right to vote. They made a decision. The decision was to reject the old way of doing things, as portrayed by the member's question, quite frankly, of divisiveness and of excessive partisanship. So I encourage the member to participate in a new way of doing things, a way that involves listening to Manitobans and working together, as the members of the Liberal caucus and members of our team did last night in the first genuine open budget consultations in a long time. Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Ms. Marcelino: The Premier says he wants to represent the little guy, but he turns around and freezes the minimum wage and gives himself a huge salary increase. His tax measures will buy low-income earners a fast-food meal, but a minimum wage increase would pay the rent. And now he is attacking the ability of workers to organize for benefits and good wages. Madam Speaker, perhaps the Premier is not aware workplaces aren't always fair. Putting roadblocks in the way of certification just makes joining a union harder. The Premier knows this, but masks his intentions. It's not good enough for Manitoba workers. Will he pull Bill 7? Mr. Pallister: Well, there are so many inaccuracies in the preamble, Madam Speaker, where to begin? Let's begin here. Most workers across Canada enjoy the right to a secret ballot, but the NDP took that right away from Manitobans. We think that that's wrong, and we're going to restore the right of Manitoba workers to have the chance to vote the way they want. The leader, interim leader opposite, is right in her assertion that sometimes workplaces are not fair. Therefore it is very important to protect workers from intimidation, bullying and harassment either by union bosses or by employer bosses. A secret ballot assists in doing that exact thing, and it's recognized as a protection of workers by noted national and local union leaders today. The members opposite fail to recognize that too. So if they're against giving Manitoba workers the right to a secret ballot and that is their position they should explain why. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Ms. Marcelino: Manitoba has weathered global economic turbulence by investing in their province and partnering with workers. Yet, now, at a time when the province has lost thousands of jobs, the Premier picks a fight with labour. This is an ideological fight and it certainly shows where the Premier's priorities are. Manitobans don't want to see partisan political fights with labour and certainly not during a time of economic turbulence. Will he pull Bill 7? Mr. Pallister: The members are choosing to fight a battle, an old battle, a backward-looking battle, a battle that even NDP government in Alberta isn't fighting. They're wrong in their assertion that this is any way, shape or form a bill that will do anything but protect the rights of Manitoba workers to vote the way they want. That's the purpose of the bill. As far as the member's assertion that or implication that somehow she or her colleagues care about working people across the province, why did they jack up the PST to 8 per cent on the dues that these workers have to pay to protect their own families? Why would they have done that when they said they weren't going to raise it? Maybe they could explain that to the working people of Manitoba who they have raided repeatedly, again and again, and

8 2162 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 18, 2016 taken money off their kitchen table and put it in front of them at the Cabinet table to no good end. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Front-Line Workers Employment Security Ms. Flor Marcelino (Leader of the Official Opposition): If the Premier truly cares for workers, he will raise the minimum wage. Madam Speaker, New Democrats have a vision for the future of Manitoba, one that builds for the future and fights for fair wages and good jobs for Manitoba workers, and New Democrats believe in protecting front-line workers. In contrast, the Premier has frozen the minimum wage and brought forward the regressive Bill 7, and now he is walking away from his commitment to protecting front-line workers, calling that commitment now a moving target. Will the Premier commit today to protecting the jobs of every front-line worker? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Let's go back. Let's go back to, say, the 2011 provincial election when the members opposite or and some of their colleagues who formerly worked in these occupations went to the doors of the people of the province, including working families. They knocked; they said, trust us and vote for the NDP. We won't raise your taxes. And then, a year later, they jacked up taxes on home insurance for every even the homes of the doors they walked on and every other home as well, Madam Speaker, the ones they didn't knock on. Now, they also jacked up the PST to include all your benefits at work. So you want to protect your family, we do, but they said, no, we care so much for you working people that we'll promise you to your face, at your door, look you in the eye, that we're not going to raise your taxes on your home insurance and your benefits and then go ahead and do it anyway. And then the next year they raised the PST on top of that by taking away the right of these very workers not just to have a secret ballot, but to have a vote at all. That's the record of the NDP. We have a vision for the future, and we will make it happen while respecting the working people of this province. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Ms. Marcelino: The Premier also promised during the election that he will maintain the seniors' tax rebate. On April 15th the Premier and his party promised to protect the jobs of the workers who deliver front-line services. The Premier said at the time that this has been their position for many years. Once elected, the Premier not only walks away from that commitment, but he can't even tell us who a front-line worker is. His Finance Minister claims to know how to count one class of worker, but is unwilling to tell us who a front-line worker is. Well, we are telling him the workers who help build our roads are front-line workers. The teachers who teach our children are front-line workers. The nurses who treat our illnesses are front-line workers. Will the Premier commit to protecting them today, or will he hide behind studies, reviews and third parties? Mr. Pallister: It sounds like a question written by the former member for Thompson, Madam Speaker, and I'll answer it in that way. The members opposite, the real rump of the former NDP government that is here today, is here today because they refused to listen to Manitobans. In fact, they raided the kitchen tables of Manitobans regularly and without good effect. Now, today, in opposition, they claim a caring that they never demonstrated when in government. This failure to live by principle and to get results so dissatisfied not just Manitobans, but the members of the NDP caucus, that they staged an historic rebellion. They tried to change their face. They tried to take out the former leader from St. Boniface. They staged a dysfunctional display for the people of Manitoba to watch to their disaffection. And so the result was, Madam Speaker, six months ago the replacement of that former government with a new one, a new one with a vision that includes working with and listening to Manitobans and protecting front-line workers. Madam Speaker: The honourable interim Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Ms. Marcelino: The Premier is hiding behind reviews and studies or pushing off responsibility to

9 October 18, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2163 make hard choices, but he has a choice. He can tell Manitobans that he is a man of his word and that he will keep his promise to protect front-line workers. Will he do it today? * (14:00) Mr. Pallister: The member, in her preamble, uses makes reference to the phrase hard choices. The problem with the previous government is they refused to make the hard choices in government. They made the easy ones, and the easy one for them was to jack up the taxes on Manitobans, jack them up, jack them up again and again. They jacked them up. Now, they claim they care about front-line workers. I'll tell you what a front-line worker is not, Madam Speaker. A front-line worker is not a half dozen staffers paid secret payments to leave. That's not front-line workers. I'll tell you another thing, Madam Speaker, that I think is important to understand here. The member used the phrase keeping promises. Now, how is it that standing quietly by and watching their own colleague their own colleague make a series of contracts with a pal, without tendering it, to the tune of over $10 million and then covering it up and not disclosing it to Manitobans how is that making hard choices, and how is that keeping promises? And the answer is: It is neither. Labour Relations Act Request to Withdraw Mr. Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon): This Premier has initiated an unfortunate and unnecessary attack on labour in his first-year mandate. He refuses to grant labour the respect it deserves. Instead, he cloaks himself in the trappings of democracy in a clear attempt to undermine workers' rights to organize. When will this Premier (Mr. Pallister) give workers some respect? When will he withdraw Bill 7? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade): I do appreciate the question from the member opposite. We do know where he stands on this particular bill, Bill 7, but unfortunately, we don't know where the rest of the NDP [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Cullen: team stands on Bill 7. Maybe we'll hear about it today. Madam Speaker, we made a promise to Manitobans six months ago, and today, through Bill 7, we are making that commitment to Manitobans and Manitoba workers. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lindsey: We know that intimidation and coercion look like in the real world. We know that the impact they have on workers. They involve attempts by the employer, the party with all the power, to suppress workers' attempts to unionize. Madam Speaker, I had the pleasure of introducing a bill moments ago that will give real protection to workers. Will this Premier stand with workers in this province and support that bill? Mr. Cullen: Again, I appreciate the question, and I think we appreciate what Manitobans have asked us to do. Overwhelmingly, six months ago, they came and said this is the right thing to do for Manitobans and Manitoba workers. We are going to restore workers' rights and their ability to vote before they join a union. It's the right thing to do. It's being respectful of workers. Why is the opposition not prepared to support workers in Manitoba? Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Flin Flon, on a final supplementary. Mr. Lindsey: This Premier derisively refers to elected unions as being run by bosses and rails about intimidation on the part of so-called union thugs. But this is an ideological attack masquerading as fact. Can this Premier produce one instance of a case of intimidation by unions in an organizing drive? We put on the record many instances of intimidation by employers. When will this Premier look at the facts and withdraw this misguided bill? Mr. Cullen: I certainly appreciate and looking forward to the debate, actually, this afternoon on relative to Bill 7. We know we have six other provinces that believe in the same role elections that we do. In fact, in terms of facts, we look at the Manitoba Federation of Labour and their constitution, and in there it says the president will be elected by secret ballot. So if the Manitoba if it's good enough for union leaders to

10 2164 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 18, 2016 have a secret ballot, why is it not good enough for workers to have secret ballots? Premier's Enterprise Team Labour Representation Mr. James Allum (Fort Garry-Riverview): Recently, the Premier held a press conference in the basement of the Legislature, surrounded by tons and tons of boxes, which only had the effect of showing that the work is piling up and nothing, and I mean nothing, is getting done here in the province of Manitoba. One of the things that the Premier has failed to do is to name anyone to his so-called Premier's enterprise team. Can the Premier assure the House that organized labour will have a seat at that table? Hon. Brian Pallister (Premier): Well, I want to encourage the member to recognize that the reason the work is piling up is because it wasn't done for 16 years. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Garry-Riverview, on a supplementary question. Mr. Allum: The reason no work is not getting done is because this Premier has no answers, no plan and no interest in governing on behalf of the people of Manitoba. So I ask him again: When he gets around to it at some future date to name folks to his Premier's enterprise team, can he assure, can he guarantee this House, that organized labour will have a seat at that table? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): So the member rises in his place today to ask a question about the importance of consultation. I couldn't be more happy to answer this member and to indicate that just yesterday, this new government embarked on our brand new YourProvinceYourPlan consultation. It was a great effort, and when invited by this Premier weeks and weeks ago, that party over there took a very different view, would not be at the table with the other members, sat at the back of the room and sulked. We invite them to get on board and support this overall effort to hear from Manitobans on the budget coming up. Madam Speaker: The order. The honourable member for Fort Garry-Riverview, on a final supplementary. Mr. Allum: I'm so enthused to answer that I just went ahead of you. I was at that public consultation. I was with my friend from Flin Flon and my friend from Tyndall Park, and I was at that public consultation, Madam Speaker, but it wasn't a public consultation. It was a stakeholder meeting. In fact, members of the public were given all of five minutes to make ask questions of the government. That wasn't a public consultation. That was a sham, and we know it to be a sham. Now, Madam Speaker, we know that the former Premier's economic advisory committee committed consisted of members from labour [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Allum: from cultural community, from the environmental community, from the newcomer community, from the indigenous community. Will the Premier now tell this House that he will have all those folks represented on the Premier's enterprise team? Mr. Pallister: Well, the member was part and parcel of a process of making consultation a sham in the previous government. I guess I have no better way of illustrating that than to ask the member to just reflect for a moment. The member needs to reflect for a moment on who who was consulted on the government's decision to jack up the PST. Was it front-line workers? Were they asked? Were they asked? Was it small business? Were they asked? Were members of the caucus opposite, were they asked? No, they weren't asked, and is that why they staged a rebellion and tried to replace their leader? Is that why? Okay, so let's not pretend that the members opposite had any idea about how to do a genuine consultation with Manitobans. We do, and we are, and I invite them to be part of it. Minimum Wage Increase Request Mr. Mohinder Saran (The Maples): The first job an immigrant or new arrival will often have is a minimum-wage job. Increasing the minimum wage is one of the best ways to help people build the supports they need: good jobs, families and community. That keeps people here for the long run, grows the economy and adds to Manitoba's beautiful cultural mosaic.

11 October 18, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2165 Will the Premier (Mr. Pallister) support immigrants and new arrivals by raising the minimum wage? Hon. Cliff Cullen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade): I appreciate the question on minimum wage. We have taken the approach that we're going to consult with Manitobans, and we're currently doing that. We've sent the issue over to the Labour Management Review Committee for their consideration. * (14:10) I'm sure we'll be hearing a report back from them in the very near future. Our Minister of Finance (Mr. Friesen) is out consulting with Manitobans during the budget process. Hopefully, we'll hear some words of wisdom on the minimum wage going forward through that process. So we think it's a really good process, engaging Manitobans to hear what they have to say on minimum wage. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Maples, on a supplementary question. Mr. Saran: A low minimum wage is like a subsidy to big corporations. Many minimum wage workers can't get full-time jobs, receive minimal benefits and have to rely on social services to get by. Will the Premier admit that keeping the minimum wage low only helps big businesses and hurts Manitoba families? Mr. Cullen: Again, I appreciate the question, and we looking forward to consultation with Manitobans as we move forward. This government has taken almost 3,000 low-income wage earners off the tax roll altogether by our with our first budget, Madam Speaker. We think that's a step in the right direction. And I'm also going to quote what the Prime Minister said, and he's talking about minimum wage. He said, it's not just about putting a little money in people's pockets; it's about making sure that they have the conditions to be able to succeed. It's not always that we agree with the Prime Minister. On this case, we do. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for The Maples, on a final supplementary. Mr. Saran: From coast to coast, the majority of provinces and territories have raised the minimum wage. Alberta's minimum wage will be $15 by If the Premier truly wants to make Manitoba the most improved province, why does not he support workers, families and immigrants with the most improved minimum wage? Mr. Cullen: You know, obviously, this the government has taken some very good steps in taking minimum and low-income wage earners right off the tax roll. We think it's important. Even the Prime Minister said there's no magic bullet. We have to work across many jurisdictions, many different challenges, in order to drop, one by one, all the various barriers that too many Canadians face to succeeding. It's about getting the fundamentals right; it's about getting the foundation right. That's what this government is going to do. Autism Treatment ABA Therapy Wait Times Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, a society which lives for today at the expense of tomorrow has no future. Saving dollars by insufficiently funding applied behavioural analysis, or ABA therapy for autism, has big, longterm costs, as these children need far more help later on. This fall, there was a long waiting list for children with autism to get ABA therapy, therapy which when delivered early can help a child be ready for life and make a difference which lasts a lifetime. Why has the government failed to eliminate the long waiting lists for children with autism? Why is the government being penny-wise short term, but passing large costs on to the next generation? Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): I very much do appreciate the question. As the member knows, autism and the prevalence of autism has grown substantially, not just here in Manitoba, worldwide. We need to find solutions that's going to meet the needs. This is a wait time has been created, and it's something that was left by the NDP government. We want to find solutions to this, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a supplementary question.

12 2166 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 18, 2016 Mr. Gerrard: If there was more children needing schools, the government would make sure there's more spaces. Why not with autism? Madam Speaker, in just one session, in 2013, the Conservatives were so incensed about the delays in autism therapy that there were grievances, members' statements, resolutions and more than 22 questions in QP and Estimates, all on autism. The wait-lists were called disgraceful, deplorable, unacceptable, a betrayal. The former MLA for Riding Mountain said no child in Manitoba should be put on a wait-list and then denied services. And that was happening then when children were aging out, and it is still happening now. Is the minister of family services going to end the long wait-lists, or Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Mr. Fielding: The wait time is something that was left by this previous government. We need to work with people like MFEAT, which we've met with. We 'meed' to meet with all sorts of groups that are in place. The member's absolutely right. There were some changes to the program the last session that are there. There's an evaluation component that's a part of that. We're going to see what the evaluation says and make decisions as we go forward on it. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for River Heights, on a final supplementary. Adults with Autism Employment Support Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, it's time for this government to get to work and act rather than just blaming others. Mr. Speaker, in one form of autism, Asperger's syndrome, there is a lack of support for adults to get work and to keep work. So, for example, SCE LifeWorks can use government funding to help some adults with autism to get work and stay working, but cannot help adults with the Asperger form of autism. Why does the government have such a discriminatory policy that some adults with autism are helped and others are not? When will the government institute changes so that all adults with autism can be helped to find and to keep a job? Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): Again, this is a worldwide phenomena. The prevalence of autism has grown, as the member well knows, not just here in Manitoba but across the province. We want to meet with different groups with different ideas. There's vastly different opinions in terms of autism that are there. There's been some changes that were made in the last session that there will be evaluation. This government is all about evidence-based, and we want to see that evaluations going forward, and that's exactly what we will do in terms of autism. Prebudget Meetings Community Consultations Mr. Reg Helwer (Brandon West): Madam Speaker, Manitoba's new government was elected to listen to Manitobans, and our new approach to prebudget consultations began yesterday. After a decade of debt, decay and decline, our government is focused on fixing our finances. Can the Minister of Finance give an update on what he heard from Manitobans at the first in-person prebudget community consultation? Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Finance): I thank the member for Brandon West for that question. He, of course, was there yesterday with us as we rolled out our new budget consultation along with the Government House Leader (Mr. Micklefield), the Minister for Sustainable Development (Mrs. Cox), the members for Radisson (Mr. Teitsma) and Transcona (Mr. Yakimoski). Even the member for Kewatinook (Ms. Klassen) was there representing the Liberal Party, and she contributed greatly to those discussions. These consultations continue this week as we go to Brandon and Swan River, Dauphin, to Thompson next week, back to Winnipeg. The message, of course, being that it's your province, it's your plan. We care about the opinion of Manitoba's Manitobans on these important challenges that are facing the province. Manitoba's new government is listening to Manitobans about their priorities. We will work with them, fix our finances, repair our services and rebuild our economy. Poverty Reduction Government Record Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Yesterday, the Minister of Families boasted his PC government has

13 October 18, 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2167 done more to reduce poverty than our NDP government. Allow me to correct him. We built thousands of affordable housing units, helped more than 10,000 Manitobans leave social assistance, added 14,000 child-care spaces, and we raised the minimum wage 16 times. In these last six months, this government refused to raise the minimum wage, lost over 10,000 jobs, continues to ignore a growing child-care wait-list, is allowing Manitoba Hydro and MPI rates to skyrocket, and, in the midst of an economic crisis, the Premier (Mr. Pallister) still has not been up North. Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): I didn't hear exactly the question. Can but I can tell you I can tell you that poverty is something that we all need to work together on. That's something, whether you're in the business community, whether in a whole bunch of different factions, we need to work together. This government has done a number of things in terms of reducing the basic personal exemption where you're having over 3,000 people close to 3,000 people off the payroll all together. This is also looking at the track record of the NDP government. We saw an increase in the PST, which will probably take out in the neighbourhood of $2,200 from the average Manitobans. We need to do a better job in terms of poverty. We've got a strong plan going forward. * (14:20) Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a supplementary question. Social Service Agencies Funding Support Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): In a publicity stunt, the Premier paraded boxes of funding applications while paternalistically noting how not all children get what they ask for at Christmas. We should be very clear in this House those boxes of funding requests, which organizations took the time to produce and submit, are literally the means in ensuring a viable, productive, safe and healthy Manitoba. Those boxes, those funding requests, represent important programs and services for children, for families and communities. They rightly all deserve government support. Will the Premier commit to protecting these organizations and support our social service agencies? Hon. Scott Fielding (Minister of Families): I can tell you we are absolutely want to enhance social services. We know, looking at the NDP's track record in terms of social services, the amount of children in care has dramatically increased by over 87 per cent. We've made dramatic improvements in terms of funding, in terms of things like health or terms of things like housing, also in terms of the basic personal exemption, where you're having more money that's donated to people. Also a part of this was The Protecting Children Act. We've introduced the first information-sharing piece that we think will make a true difference in terms of protecting children. That's something that I'm passionate about, and we're very proud of our record so far in the first six months of office. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Johns, on a final supplementary. Support for MMIWG Families Establishment of Liaison Unit Ms. Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns): Last week, I asked whether any government departments had begun the process of accessing federal dollars in the establishment of a family information liaison unit here in Manitoba for MMIWG families as we undertake what will be a very emotional, physical and spiritually difficult journey in the execution of a national inquiry. We see today in the Winnipeg Free Press the Manitoba had no answer in respect of what they were doing. While the criteria are somewhat flexible on what provinces and territories can do with the dollars, Justice Canada is encouraging them to, and I quote, explore options for partnering with indigenous community and advocacy organizations. Has this government reached out to Ka Ni Kanichihk and its Medicine Bear program on partnership on said unit and dollars? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): I want to thank the member for the question. This is an important issue in our

14 2168 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA October 18, 2016 national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. The federal government has made it very clear that they will fully fund Victim Services when it comes to this. We have submitted an application to the federal government to fund the family information liaison unit that currently exists provincially. So we hope that members opposite will support us in this initiative, that we stand together, all Manitobans, in support of this because we need to get to the bottom of this inquiry and support the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Post-Secondary Tuition Affordability Concerns Mr. Wab Kinew (Fort Rouge): The Premier (Mr. Pallister) and the Minister of Education have been musing lately about raising tuition in our province. On top of that, we know that their changes to the scholarship and bursary program will mean universities and colleges spend more time fundraising and less time on delivering a quality education. Every hour schools spend hitting up donors is an hour they're not spending teaching students. Will the minister admit their plan for scholarships and bursaries is the wrong priority and they should be focused on keeping tuition affordable for all students? Hon. Ian Wishart (Minister of Education and Training): We're certainly working very hard on this side of the House to make sure that tuition is affordable for all students. We have been consulting and working with the post-secondaries and, in fact, expanded the range of post-secondaries that are part of the program for bursaries and scholarships. They certainly are very excited about the prospects and are looking forward to working with us on this. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Rouge, on a supplementary question. Indexed to Inflation Mr. Kinew: The minister says he is committed to keeping tuition affordable for all students. Will he put on the record today that tuition will be tied to inflation next year? Mr. Wishart: As I said earlier, we're continuing to work with the different post-secondaries, and, in fact, it's mostly their foundations and their volunteer groups that actually do the fundraising for them. So if the member had taken the time to do a little bit of homework on this, I think he'd understand that we're making sure that there's a lot more dollars available to students for a more affordable education in the future. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Fort Rouge, on a final supplementary. Affordability Concerns Mr. Kinew: Madam Speaker, the foundations may make preliminary inquiries, but it is the presidents, student leaders and faculty who often close the deal when it comes to fundraising. The money that money will only reach students if schools are successful Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Kinew: in pitching donors, but there is a limited donor pool in the province. Even setting aside donor fatigue, this scholarship money will only reach select students; private donors can specify exactly which students would get this government money. What will the minister do to make sure postsecondary education is affordable for all students in Manitoba, especially the most needy? Mr. Wishart: I don't know where he's getting his information from, but many of us on this side of the House have sat on foundations at one time or another. We know who's doing the work, and it is usually foundation members that are helping with the fundraising, and, yes, the presidents do make the closing call in many cases. But it is not very often faculty involved in any way. I can tell you that the previous government of which this member wasn't a part, but is belonging to the party actually cut the funding for this three years ago, I believe. They cut the funding. PST Increase Claim Point of Clarification Mr. Rob Altemeyer (Wolseley): Just a point of clarification. Could the Minister of Families (Mr. Fielding) please repeat for the House his claim of the dollar figure that he said, I believe it was, the average family now has to pay in addition, due to the